Tag Archives: skin care and facial St. Charles

Skin Benefits From The Sun

By Dr. Michael Murray

This time of year, everyone wants to be outside. It feels so good to have the warm sun on our bare skin. If you haven’t heard that being out in the sun, unprotected by sunscreen, puts you at risk for wrinkles (at best) and skin cancer (at worst) then you’ve probably been living under a rock!

However, while most people are aware of the dangers of too much sun, many don’t realize that sunlight confers enormous health benefits as well. Keeping in mind that you need to protect your skin with a high-quality sunscreen when you go outdoors, let’s look at some of the surprising benefits of sunlight.

The connection between vitamin D deficiency and cancer was first made by Drs. Frank and Cedric Garland from the University of California, San Diego. After finding that the incidence of colon cancer was nearly three times higher in New York than in New Mexico, the Garland brothers hypothesized that lack of sun exposure, resulting in a vitamin D deficiency, played a role.

Research now indicates that being deficient in vitamin D increases the risk of many cancers, especially breast and colon. For example, a four-year, placebo-controlled study involving 1,179 postmenopausal women concluded that vitamin D supplementation produced a dramatic 60 percent drop in the risk of developing any form of cancer.

Sunlight is beneficial for Alzheimer’s patients.
Clinical research has shown that exposure to full-spectrum light throughout the day coupled with darkness at night can help improve some aspects of Alzheimer’s disease—reducing agitation, increasing sleep efficiency, decreasing nighttime wakefulness and decreasing nighttime activity in these patients.

Sunlight may lower risk for multiple sclerosis.
MS is more common in populations that live farther from the equator. People who move from a low-risk area to a high-risk area before the age of 15 acquire a higher risk of developing MS, whereas those who make the same move after adolescence retain a lower risk. These observations suggest that environmental exposure, and in particular, early sunlight exposure (which is correlated with vitamin D levels) in the first two decades of life, influences the risk of developing MS.

Related to this finding, several European population studies observed that there is a lower risk of MS for births occurring after October and a higher risk for MS for births occurring after May. This suggests that maternal levels of vitamin D during the third trimester of pregnancy may influence risk of MS.

Sunlight helps heal psoriasis.
Exposure to sunlight is extremely beneficial for individuals with psoriasis. In one study, an outdoor four-week sunbathing therapy was shown to promote significant clearance of psoriatic symptoms in 84 percent of subjects.

Sunlight can ease mild depression.
There has been a lot of research on the link between sunlight and mood. One solid study found that sunlight actually increases levels of a natural antidepressant in the brain. On sunny days, the brain produces more of the mood-lifting chemical serotonin than on darker days.

Sunlight contributes to bone health in older adults.
It is well known that vitamin D stimulates the absorption of bone-strengthening calcium. The process of vitamin D manufacture begins when sunlight changes the 7-dehydrocholesterol in the skin into vitamin D3. Emerging research is showing a direct correlation between both bone density and blood levels of vitamin D3. Higher blood levels of vitamin D3 are associated with a lower rate of fractures of virtually all types; lower blood levels of vitamin D3 are associated with a higher rate of fractures of all types.

Sunlight can improve sleep quality.
When sunlight hits your eyes, your optic nerve sends a message to the gland in the brain that produces melatonin (a hormone that helps you sleep); the gland decreases its secretions of melatonin until the sun goes down again. In other words, exposure to sunlight during the day increases the natural production of melatonin at night. Low levels of melatonin production are linked to poor sleep quality, especially in older adults.

To find out more about the importance of facials andnatural skin care products, please contact Skin Care Plus. We use and recommend the best natural and organic skin care products available. We also offer other skin care treatments that can help with anti-aging and overall skin health, including the best facial in the greater Chicago area, including Batavia, Geneva, and St. Charles.

Toners Target Damaged Skin

We recently explained the importance of facial cleansing and skin cleansers. The next step in your skin care routine is a toner, also called clarifying lotion or freshener. They come with different ingredients for different skin conditions, such as humectants for dehydrated skin, calming agents for sensitive skin, antibacterials for acne skin, etc. Toners are water-based and help protect the skin after cleansing.

The most beneficial part of toners is that they fill in “hot spots” on your face. Most people have skin damage from stress, pollution, diet, and improper products. By using toner and filling in those spots, your product will be more effective. Another benefit is to help spread your serum over the skin for better absorption. Spray toners are popular and easier to use. Just a light spray, leave it on and apply serum. The use of a toner is recommended for all of the added benefits.

Other Skin Care Tips

Astaxanthin–an antioxidant–is a potent anti-inflammatory that can positively impact your health. It also helps to prevent sunburn, and helps
protect you from damaging effects of radiation. Great for summer sun. Hawaiian Asataxanthin is the best.

Night is when our skin is in renewal mode and most receptive to treatment. This is when your products work the best.

For a skin care consultation and evaluation via telephone, please contact us today. We can recommend natural products that will help you look and feel your best, while promoting anti-aging. If you live in the greater Chicago area, including Geneva, St. Charles and Wheaton, please visit us when possible.

To find out more about the importance of facials andnatural skin care products, please contact Skin Care Plus. We use and recommend the best natural and organic skin care products available. We also offer other skin care treatments that can help with anti-aging and overall skin health, including the best facial in the greater Chicago area, including Batavia, Geneva, and St. Charles.

Natural, Organic Skin Care Products In High Demand

The major driver of the skin care industry is the rising concern and demand for natural and organic skin care products. Growing concern for health and safety, consumer awareness about synthetic chemicals, and rising green consciousness drove the demand for organic and natural skin care products. Another key driver of the skin care industry is increased demand of anti-aging products. This market is benefited by high disposable income of the baby boomers group.

The Market Research Report analysts advise that the biggest challenge the industry faces is to provide good quality products at low cost. Consumers have become price conscious, but at the same time do not want to compromise on quality. Hence it is crucial for the manufacturers to maintain a balance between price and quality. Continuous innovation has also become a challenge for the players in the industry. Regular innovation of products is very important for companies to sustain their successful position in the market.

The study also highlights key drivers of growth in the skin care industry. Consumers use skin care products for long-term application effect, safety concerns and even eco-friendliness, which will certainly be a major skincare trend in the future. Consumers with high incomes are increasingly buying premium products, responding to the improving economy and product innovations from premium skin care manufacturers.

Some of the features of US Skin Care Industry 2013-2018: Trends, Forecast, and Opportunity Analysis include:

Analysis of competitive intensity of the industry based on Porter’s Five Forces model which helps to understand the competitive position of industry players

US Skin Care market intelligence with special emphasis on facial care, body and hand care, depilatories, and sun care markets

Skin Care Market Size trend (2007-2012) and forecast (2013-2018) with demographic factor analysis are useful to make major investment decisions in region

Profitability and Cost Structure Trend Analysis (2007-2012) of US Skin Care market provides the clear picture of market to the investor

To find out more about the importance of facials and natural skin care products, please contact Skin Care Plus. We use and recommend the best natural and organic skin care products available. We also offer other skin care treatments that can help with anti-aging and overall skin health, including the best facial in the greater Chicago area, including Batavia, Geneva, and St. Charles.

Beauty Rest Promotes Healthy Skin

Many people skip toner in their skin care routine. It can be optional for some skin types but it does help balance out your skin and prepare it for moisturizing. If you decide to use toner, look for ones that are alcohol-free and suited for your particular skin type. Just dab some on a cotton pad, wipe your face and neck and let it air dry. Remember, your skin renews itself while you’re sleeping. That’s why it’s so important to get your eight hours of sleep each night.

If you have time in the morning, do some stretching, walking or yoga poses. Doing so can help get your blood flowing, reduce dark circles under your eyes and help you look less puffy. Another great benefit to getting moving in the morning is that you’ll be more alert and it gives your metabolism a boost. If you already work out in the morning then you’re already on the right track. These are some of the things that we review when we assess your skin and lifestyle to determine the best skin care products for your body, age and lifestyle. If you don’t live in the greater Chicago area, we offer telephone assessments, consulting and product recommendations for clients around the globe.

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To find out more about the importance of facials and natural skin care products, please contact Skin Care Plus. We use and recommend the best natural and organic skin care products available. We also offer other skin care treatments that can help with anti-aging and overall skin health, including the best facial in the greater Chicago area, including Batavia, Geneva, and St. Charles.

Skin Absorbs Most Toxins

By Joan Kesman, Skin Care Plus, the best facials and natural skin care products in Chicago, Geneva, Batavia, St. Charles and beyond.

Our spa is all about personal and natural skin care. Why should you care? Just like our fingerprints, everyone’s overall skin condition, complexion and chemistry is different. Combine that with age-related factors and dietary factors, allergies and sensitivities, and there is not a silver bullet or a one-size-fits-all remedy that we can pull off the shelf and apply like tonic water. A personal evaluation and a personal approach makes a noticeable difference quickly.

Secondly, the natural aspect of skin care is equally important. Remember, our skin is the largest organ of the body. It absorbs everything applied–good and bad. Some products are questionable. Some are outright toxic and carcinogenic. An alarming amount of skin care products contain petroleum byproducts, such as parabens (a group of chemicals widely used as preservatives in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries to extend the shelf life of products). They have been linked to cancer, and may have an estrogenic effect. These chemicals can be found in face and body moisturizers, body wash, and cleansers.

Bad skin care products can cause pores to become clogged and circulation impaired. So, age, race, diet, stress, place of residence and work (toxins), and hereditary factors all can play a role in skin condition, anti-aging and the personal treatment necessary to achieve optimum health. Start a personal skin care plan today with a personal consultation and recommendation. You will look and feel your best.

Remember, the most beneficial skin care products come from nature, not a lab, oil field, or animal. If it belongs in your kitchen, it belongs on and in your body. Question anything that contains animal-based ingredients.

To find out more about the importance of facials and natural skin care products, please contact Skin Care Plus. We use and recommend the best natural and organic skin care products available. We also offer other skin care treatments that can help with anti-aging and overall skin health, including the best facial in the greater Chicago area, including Batavia, Geneva, and St. Charles.

Skin Benefits From Healthy Immune System

By Joan Kesman, Skin Care Plus, the best facials and natural skin care products in Chicago, Geneva, Batavia, St. Charles and beyond.

You probably have noticed that vitamin C gets a lot of attention as being nothing short of miraculous for your health. Can this powerful antioxidant really benefit your skin?

Almost 20 years ago, a Duke University scholar published a groundbreaking paper that showed how a form of vitamin C called L-ascorbic acid reduced UVB damage when applied to the backs of hairless pigs. This evidence suggested that photo-damage or “sun spots” could be repaired with topical use of vitamin C—and that was big news for anyone concerned with signs of aging. Research has since proven the benefits, stability issues, and usage requirements for vitamin C. Further research continued to show vitamin C’s positive effect on skin.

“Citrus fruits are a great source of Vitamin C, which the body needs to produce collagen,” says Joan Kesman, owner of Skin Care Plus. “Collagen is a protein that aids in the growth of cells and blood vessels and gives skin its firmness and strength. The body produces collagen to help nourish your skin and repair itself. Bioflavonoids, also from citrus fruit, protect the skin from the sun’s damaging UV rays.”

Here’s what vitamin C can do for your skin:

Protect skin cells and skin’s support structure from UV-related damage;

Improve the appearance of sun-damaged skin;

Strengthen skin’s barrier response;

Reduce inflammation;

Promote collagen production;

Enhance effectiveness of peels and microdermabrasion;

Lessen hyperpigmentation (at levels of 3 percent or greater); and

Boost the efficacy of sunscreen.

To supplement your diet, topical vitamin C also can benefit your skin. However, as widely used as vitamin C is in cosmetics and lotions now, it can be confusing because there are many forms. Here’s what you need to know:

Regardless of marketing hype – there is no one “best” form of topical vitamin C.

A proven range for vitamin C efficacy is between 0.3 percent and 10 percent.

All antioxidants, including vitamin C, are vulnerable to deterioration in the presence of air and light. If a product containing antioxidants does not come in airtight, opaque packaging, don’t buy it.

In addition to vitamin C, beta-carotene promotes cell turnover and the sweet potato is an excellent source of this nutrient. Cell turnover is when dead cells shed, making way for new cells. Beta-carotene also helps balance the skin’s pH levels. Finally, it prevents the skin from drying out and flaking by keeping it well oiled.

Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant found in tomatoes; it’s the chemical responsible for its red color. Lycopene protects the skin from damage caused by direct exposure to sunlight. It’s suggested that to increase the absorption rate of lycopene, tomatoes should be eaten with olive oil.

Leafy green vegetables such as spinach and kale contain lutein, which helps protect the skin from developing inflammation or wrinkles caused by sun exposure. Wild salmon contains astaxanthin that may help stop free radicals from damaging the body’s cell membranes and DNA and fostering healthy skin.

“Ideally, we should eat the foods that naturally contain these compounds as opposed to taking supplements,” says Kesman.

Find out more about the importance of facials and natural skin care products, please contact Skin Care Plus. We use and recommend the best natural and organic skin care products available. We also offer other skin care treatments that can help with anti-aging and overall skin health, including the best facial in the greater Chicago area, including Batavia, Geneva, and St. Charles.

Natural Skin Care Products Easy To Make

Lotion is a top offender for beauty products. The skin is the biggest organ in the body, and many chemicals can be absorbed by the skin and stored in fat tissue. If you’re tired of all the chemicals and fragrances added to most store-bought creams and lotions, consider making your own—it isn’t difficult.

Natural Substitutes: The best natural lotion I have found so far is just pure organic Coconut Oil. It is able to penetrate the skin and the medium chain fatty acids help with wrinkles, dry skin, and other skin problems and since it is naturally antibacterial, it won’t cause breakouts. There are also countless ways to combine coconut oil with other oils, butters, essential oils and herbs to create solutions for your specific skin. I frequently make my own and give them as gifts to friends and family members who seem to love them.

If you can, I recommend that you keep an old blender, a small- to medium-size glass bowl, and a spatula that you use solely for making natural aromatherapy products. While you can use your kitchen blender, the beeswax found in natural creams can leave a residue on the blender and utensils used. Here’s what you’ll need:

3/4 cup of pure oil (I like sweet almond oil since it absorbs well and doesn’t leave a greasy film. 1 cup of pure water (or use rose water) 2 Tablespoons of shaved beeswax (be sure to avoid other types of wax since they are made of petroleum byproducts) 30 drops of essential oils (like lavender, ylang ylang, bergamot, or other oil. Make sure you avoid “fragrance oil” since it is synthetic. Lavender is a great one to start with since it is aromatic but also soothes sunburns, other types of burns, and is healing for most skin types). a glass jar or small glass jars for storing the lotion

Making The Lotion: Pour the oil into a Pyrex measuring cup and add the shaved beeswax. Set it in a saucepan of water that reaches about halfway up the side of the Pyrex container. Heat over the stove until the beeswax dissolves and remove from the stove immediately. Allow to cool for a minute or two but not longer than that since the beeswax will begin to harden.

Pour the water into your blender and begin blending it on high speed with the lid on (with a hole left in the lid for pouring the beeswax-oil mixture). Slowly pour the oil-beeswax mixture into the water. It will begin to emulsify as you continue pouring the oil. It normally begins to thicken after about three-quarters of the oil has been incorporated. Continue adding the oil until you’ve incorporated all of it into the water.

Add the drops of essential oils you’ve selected. Blend them into the lotion. Pour the lotion into the glass jars you’ve selected for storing the cream. Use the spatula to remove any remaining lotion from the blender. The lotion lasts for about 6 months and is best kept at cool temperatures to prolong shelf life. You can store it in the fridge if you choose to keep it fresh.

For more information about personal and natural skin care, including the best facials in the greater Chicago area (including, Geneva, St. Charles, Batavia and Wheaton), contact Joan Kesman at Skin Care Plus.

To find out more about the importance of facials and natural skin care products, please contact Skin Care Plus. We use and recommend the best natural and organic skin care products available. We also offer other skin care treatments that can help with anti-aging and overall skin health, including the best facial in the greater Chicago area, including Batavia, Geneva, and St. Charles.

Chicago Skin Care Expert Explains Benefits Of Facial Treatment

Do you take care of your hands and feet with manicures and pedicures but neglect your face, your face that people see first? Well it’s time to have a personalized facial that not only keeps your skin healthy and glowing but your body, mind and spirit relaxed and calm. Facials need to be performed about every 4 to 8 weeks depending on your skin’s needs.

This time of year your skin tends to be more dry and needs more hydrating and lubricating. Exfoliation is necessary first to remove the dead cell buildup which can make the face look dry and wrinkly. Removing this buildup will also allow for better penetration of products. There is a fine line in exfoliating. Too much exfoliating can make the skin more thin and sensitive and make it age faster, too little won’t take the dead cells off well enough.

The facial treatment incorporates this with enzymes or glycolic acid, along with face massage and masks or LED (light) therapy or radio frequency. Various products with safe, effective ingredients are used to help repair the lipid barrier that holds the moisture to protect the face from the elements. They also hydrate, lubricate and can help with rosacea, hyper-pigmentation, acne, congestion, and more, keeping the skin clear, healthy, glowing and younger looking.

Your home care routine is very important too, and lower end products are not the answer. Many skin care products don’t have the adequate percentages of the ingredients necessary for healthy skin.

Many skin care products have irritating or carcinogenic ingredients in them. You can be assured that the skin care lines that I carry are safe and effective. I have had a lot of training about facial treatments and the what to look for and be aware of in skin care, so I can advise you as to what your skin needs.

To find out more about the importance of facials and natural skin care products, please contact Skin Care Plus. We use and recommend the best natural and organic skin care products available. We also offer other skin care treatments that can help with anti-aging and overall skin health, including the best facial in the greater Chicago area, including Batavia, Geneva, and St. Charles.

Moisturizing Accepted Among More Men

A new survey found that 58 percent of men ages 18-24 and 63 percent of those 25-34 use a facial moisturizer. Those numbers sound high, but men are more into skin care more than ever. As proof, Mintel found that only 32 percent of men ages 55-64 and 29 percent of men over 65 were using moisturizer — older men haven’t got that skincare bug, apparently.

Men’s grooming has boomed in recent years, growing about 20 percent to $3 billion in 2012. Male-specific products accounted for six percent of all new beauty and personal care products launched in 2012, and many products that were previously never marketed to men — eye cream or serums, for example — are now considered men’s skin care products as well.

Of course, it seems like women are still using many more products than men. In a recent skin care poll, 54 percent of men surveyed said they didn’t use any skin care or grooming products when getting ready in the morning, while 35 percent of women said they use at least one or two. Plus, one recent survey found that your husband or boyfriend is likely to grab your face cream and toners while you’re not looking. Avoid that fate by buying the man in your life some day cream of his own. He’s probably into the stuff already.

For more information about skin care for men and women, please contact us at Skin Care Plus. We are skin care experts who use and recommend the best natural and organic skin care products available. We also offer other skin care treatments that can help with anti-aging and overall skin health, including the best facial in the greater Chicago area, including Batavia, Geneva, Wheaton and St. Charles.

To find out more about the importance of facials and natural skin care products, please contact Skin Care Plus. We use and recommend the best natural and organic skin care products available. We also offer other skin care treatments that can help with anti-aging and overall skin health, including the best facial in the greater Chicago area, including Batavia, Geneva, and St. Charles.

Skin Health A Reflection Of Overall Health

Skipping sunscreen on a gray winter day or flopping into bed with your makeup on is unlikely to do any real harm, but too many lapses in your skin care regimen could lead to aging. Taking a few minutes a day for smart skin care can prevent wrinkles, brown spots and more. Whether you’re a repeat offender or just make the occasional mistake, here are five common excuses that could be aging your skin, plus simple solutions to keep your skin looking young.

The two minutes that it takes to cleanse your skin before bed helps ensure a fresh face for years. “Sleeping with dirt, oil, and makeup on causes acne and enlarged pores,” says Audrey Kunin, MD, an associate clinical instructor of dermatology at the University of Kansas School of Medicine. To easily remove debris, keep no-rinse face wipes in your nightstand.

Exposure to UVA rays, the primary culprit behind aging, happens all year long. And because they can penetrate glass, you’re susceptible even when you’re indoors, says Fredric Brandt, MD, a New York- and Miami-based dermatologist. The number one way to guard against sun damage and keep skin looking youthful: use a sunscreen or moisturizer with SPF 30 that’s labeled broad-spectrum every day.

To save, shop at drugstores. Studies show that mass products are as effective as more expensive skin care brands. “Look for active ingredients, not fancy labels,” says David E. Bank, MD, an associate professor of dermatology at Columbia University/Presbyterian Hospital. The most effective anti-aging products include retinoids, AHAs, peptides, vitamin C, and hydrators such as hyaluronic acid.

It can take at least eight weeks to see the results of many skin care ingredients, so give products time to deliver their benefits. Incorporate new skin care products slowly—one about every two months.

Getting rid of dead cells helps soften wrinkles and brighten skin, but aggressive scrubs can lead to redness and irritation. To slough safely, choose a chemical exfoliator, such as glycolic acid, or gentle cleansing beads. Avoid scrubs with an uneven texture, such as walnut shells. Exfoliate just once or twice a week; if you’re using an OTC or Rx retinoid or AHA, it alone provides sufficient skin sloughing. The biggest skin care mistake, right after forgetting sunscreen iso over-exfoliating. It’s best to exfoliate no more than once a week. This gives the baby-new skin cells a chance to grow, and your skin time to replenish and rehydrate. Over-exfoliation can cause wrinkles, dry skin, and even scarring.

Remember, your skin renews itself while you’re sleeping. That’s why it’s so important to get your 8-10 hours of sleep each night. The “beauty sleep” expression is not a myth.

Finally, you are what you eat. Your skin is a direct reflection of your diet. If you eat junk food, you’re robbing your skin of the antioxidants and other nutrients it needs to stay healthy and happy. Eat well, and you’ll have gorgeous skin.

To find out more about the importance of facials and natural skin care products, please contact Skin Care Plus. We use and recommend the best natural and organic skin care products available. We also offer other skin care treatments that can help with anti-aging and overall skin health, including the best facial in the greater Chicago area, including Batavia, Geneva, and St. Charles.